One-Tank Trips: Summer concerts strike perfect note for music fans

The Walters family including Schyler (Lambert), Shirley, Bradley, Kimberly and Darren entertain throughout the summer at the Walters Dinner Theatre at the family's beautiful property in Bright. BARBARA TAYLOR/The London Free Press

The hills are alive with the sound of music in “cottage country” and beyond.

From big annual music festivals to summertime favourite haunts and hoedowns in a country barn, there are plenty of options.

Boys of summer

California’s Beach Boys embody the fun of summer as they return to Casino Rama Resort, near Orillia, on July 20.

The touring group, headed by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, brings good vibrations and summer tunes to lake country.

Headlining the Canada Day Weekend on June 29 and 30 is Canadian rocker Burton Cummings; Bryan Adams, July 4; Sarah McLachlan, July 5; Donny and Marie, July 12, 13; and Reba, July 27, 28. casinorama.com

Nearby is Burl’s Creek, home of Boots and Hearts, “Canada’s largest country music festival.”

The event in Oro-Medonte from Aug. 9 to 12 is headlined by Alan Jackson and Florida Georgia Line. bootsandhearts.com

Burton CummingsTHE CANADIAN PRESS/Matthew Sherwood

Rockin’ the barn

There’s plenty of toe tapping, hand clapping and down-home fun at the Walters Dinner Theatre on the family homestead in Bright, between Woodstock and Kitchener.

The Walters Family Band kicked off the season, which is now featuring shows paying tribute to country and music entertainers, with their return on Sept. 4 to 8 for Country Gospel.

Included are some “Good Vibrations: A Celebration of the Beach Boys” from July 23 to 28.

There are matinee and evening performances through Oct. 2, along with the pre-show country buffet with local favourite rolled ribs and apple crisp. walterstheatre.com; (519) 463-5559

Guests at the Walters Dinner Theatre, located in a concerted barn, are welcome to roam the family’s beautiful landscaped property in Bright.

All that jazz

Seal, Herbie Hancock, Savion Glover, Bettye LaVette, Alison Krauss and Cecile McLorin Salvant are just a few of the artists at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival on now through July 1.

“From legendary artists to rising stars, the lineup includes names that will resonate with jazz lovers and music fans of all ages,” said publicist Anna Tom.

There are about 150 free concerts while other performers include Holly Cole and guitarist Liona Boyd paying homage to 1960’s folk music.

The city is “transformed” as the sound of jazz fills concert halls and the streets of Yorkville come alive, she added. torontojazz.com

Thank you very much

The Collingwood Elvis Festival, July 27 to 29, is a rockin’ good time at the “largest event of its kind in the world paying tribute to the King of Rock and Roll.”

This event celebrating the rock legend has dozens of tribute artists in concert, a parade, gospel worship service, competitions and vendors. collingwoodelvisfestival.com

Gotta have a fiddle in the band

The toe-tappin’ entertainment of the summer has to be the 68th Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship in Shelburne, north of Orangeville.

The event is part of the Heritage Music Festival from Aug. 8 to 12 featuring a variety of entertainers, said publicist Caroline Mach.

Performing will be the Trews, the Beckett Family and Canada’s top fiddlers in competition.

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